Wednesday, March 04, 2026

Songs I'd Forgotten Existed, Let Alone Loved (An Occasional Series): Special "I Don't Think This Relationship Can Be Saved" Edition

From 1982 (and Stiff Records, where it belonged), please enjoy Rockpile guitarist Billy Bremner and one of the greatest New Wave singles ever -- the utterly gorgeous and emotionally devastating "Laughter Turns to Tears."

I had the Brit import pressing of this -- was there an American version? I'm not sure -- and I remember pretty much wearing it out. I mean physically, i.e. just constantly playing it over and over.

Damn, what a brilliant piece of work on every level.

I should add -- and I had TOTALLY forgotten this -- that it was produced and co-written(!) by the great Will Birch, of power pop gods The Records.

Man, there were giants in the Earth in those days. 😎

2 comments:

Edward said...

Totally missed that one somehow. Thanks. His 1984 album BASH is another pure pop joy.

Cleveland Jeff said...

Great song. Bremner and Terry Williams are often thought of as the other guys in Rockpile. True perhaps, but they were so much more. Both went on to many years of success with other bands, and both are superb musicians.